Ladder

Abstract: It is of the kind that comprises two uprights (1) and rungs (2) attached between same. It is characterised by the fact that the uprights (1) have, for attachment of the rung (2), a recess (3) on their edge where a lug (5) is attached threaded, which has a protrusion (8) on its inner edge, which matches said recess (3) and on the lug (5) of which the rung (2) rests and is held up by its end, by way of the threading of a tubular finish (9) of said end on the lug (5). Between the lug (5) and the tubular finish (9), support (10) and anchorage (11,12) components have been provided, which ensure the attachment.

Description: This invention refers to a ladder and, more particularly, to the means for attachment of the rungs to the uprights. Although this ladder can be constituted in any manner and applied to differing functions, it has been designed mainly to be used in swimming pools. GB-A-1 089 761 discloses a ladder of the kind in which the stiles of the ladder each comprises two lengths of tubular cross-section having recesses for coupling the protrusions of a bracing piece which surrounds the periphery of the two lengths and is adapted to receive one end of a rung of the ladder. The object of this invention is to obtain a ladder at a reasonable price and at the same time which is easy to assemble, enabling it to be assembled by anybody, making this ladder suitable, for example, for marketing as "do-it-yourself" merchandise, the consumer being able to buy the component parts loose and to assemble it himself. According to the invention this object is achieved with the features as defined in claim 1. In this ladder, the conventional assembly of the rungs to the upright using screws and nuts has been dispensed with, and at the same time the holes to be made in the uprights are eliminated, so they are not weakened. Between the bushing and the tubular end, support components may be provided to hold up the rungs. Likewise, between the bushing and the tubular end of the rung, anchoring components may be fitted, which ensure mutual attachment. Preferably the bushing is open on one of its generating lines to assist its attachment to the upright. These and other characteristics can be appreciated better from the detailed description which follows, to assist which a sheet of sketches is attached, representing a practical case of application, which is cited solely for the purpose of an example and is not limitative of the scope of the invention. In the sketches: Figure 1 represents a piece by piece perspective of the means for attachment of the rungs to the uprights. Figure 2 illustrates an elevational cross-section of the attachment of the rung to the upright, and Figure 3 is a plan view of said attachment. As per the sketches, the metal, tubular uprights 1 present a recess 3 on their periphery, at the spot where the rungs 2 are to be attached, which in this case is achieved by press drawing, the result being two opposite arched recesses, separated by two opposite ridges 4. Two plastic bushings 5 are attached on the uprights in each recess 3 by threading; these bushings are open on one of their generating lines 6 and the opposite generating line has a reduction in thickness 7, determining an elastic hinge which allows the bushing 5 to open to attach it crossways to the upright 1. In the threading operation of the bushing on the upright in the recess 3 of the upright, a protrusion 8 is fitted which matches the inside of the bushing 5 in order to achieve a grip which prevents coaxial displacement of the bushing on the upright. The rung 2 is supported and held on the bushing 5 by its ends, for which it has two tubular members 9 on these ends, which rest on a lower flange 10 of the outer edge of the bushing. This attachment in turn keeps the bushing 5 applied against the upright 1. To prevent accidental upwards displacement of the rung 2 once it is attached, an elastic finger 11, finished with an outer conical claw 12, has been fitted on the edge of the bushing 5, the claw of which catches on the edge of the tubular member 9 of the rung (Figure 2). It is understood that the recess 3 of the upright can take up part or all of its edge, depending on the means used to obtain it. As well as the support of the rung on the bushing 5, this could be the other way round, in this case the tubular end 9 of the rung having an inner edge flange on its upper mouth which will rest on the upper edge of the bushing 5, in which case the bushing would not have the elastic finger 11, which in this case the tubular member 9 would have on its inner mouth.

Claims: A ladder comprising two uprights (1) and a plurality of rungs (2) attached therebetween, each upright (1) having for attachement of each rung (2) a recess (3) on its external periphery for mounting a bushing (5) on the upright (2), said bushing (5) having a protusion (8) on its inner surface which matches said recess (3), characterized in that each rung comprises a tubular end (9) which is mounted coaxially on the bushing (5), the rung (2) being supported and maintained in position by coacting means (10, 11, 12) between the bushing (5) and the tubular rung end (9). A ladder according to claim 1, in which, between the bushing (5) and the tubular rung end (9), support components comprising a flange (10) in the lower external periphery of the bushing (5) are provided. A ladder according to claim 1, in which anchoring components (11, 12) between the bushing (5) and the tubular rung end (9) are provided, said anchoring components comprising a flexible finger (11) topped by an external claw (12) provided at the periphery of the bushing (5), said claw (12) engaging on the upper edge of the tubular rung end (9). A ladder according to claim 1, in which the bushing is a single piece split along one of its generating lines (6) to assist its attachment to the upright (1).

Inventors: MORRAL GISPERT JAIME, MORRAL GISPERT, JAIME, MORRAL GISPERT, JAIME, C/O ASTRAL S.A.
Applicants: ASTRAL SA, ASTRAL, SOCIEDAD ANONIMA DE CONSTRUCCIONES METALICAS
Application year: 1994
Main classification: E06C7
IPC codes: E06C7